Even if you’re fully aware of all the easy-to-eat vegan foods on the go or you understand how simple it is to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, cravings can hit out of nowhere. And sometimes, family and friends may tempt you to have animal-based foods.
No matter what the reason is, you need motivation to stick with a plant-based diet, so we have some simple tips you can take advantage of!
1. Remember Your Reason
If you’ve already made the decision to stop consuming animal products, what made you go plant-based? Remember how strong the motivation was in the beginning and your reasoning for it.
2. Don’t View It As a Diet
Don’t eat vegan just to be trendy – do it for a solid, proven reason or for ethics. Find the real reason as to why you want this lifestyle change and follow that emotion.
3. Remember Your Ethics
Consider what it takes to get a living animal to your actual plate, and if you don’t already know how that happens, these films can help you out.
4. Watch Eye-Opening Films
Speaking of films, everyone should watch food documentaries whenever they can. I’m incredibly fond of Food Inc., Vegucated, Forks Over Knives, Food Matters, and Earthlings. You can watch many docs online for free on most video websites like You Tube, Netflix, Amazon Video, or the actual websites themselves.
5. Read a Book
Books have been one of the most motivating things for me as a vegan. I constantly read a new book as soon as I finish another. Kathy Freston, Alicia Silverstone, Gena Hamshaw, Angela Liddon, and Kathy Patalsky are all some of my favorite vegan bloggers and authors. Other books I love are: The Engine 2 Diet, Forks Over Knives, The China Study, Thrive, and all those by Dr. Neal Barnard.
Be willing to change your current routine if you need to or try new things. I’m always up for trying new produce, new forms of protein, new healthy fats, and new products that enhance my vegan diet.
How do you stay motivated on a plant-based diet?

I am only a pescatarian, but in the beginning I struggled with keeping this diet. Now I don't even think about it, but I know that the first few months (even the first few years!) can be hard. These are great tips!

I am always so much more passionate about eating healthy after watching documentaries. Forks Over Knives and Fat, Sick, and Almost Dead (is that the title??) really inspired me not only to stick to a plant-based diet but to make sure that I was eating the right combination of foods.